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Etta James, 73 (Jan. 20): A galvanizing force of nature, Etta James brought explosive power and unmistakable conviction to blues, soul, funk, rock, pop, jazz, country and any other style she performed. She could also caress a ballad like few others — and did precisely that with the luminous “At Last,” which she made her own in a way that Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Sanchez and numerous other James admirers could never quite match.
— ASSOCIATED PRESS